maxed-out with Apple upgrades, MacBook Air is a bargain

Apple's new MacBook Air: surprisingly affordable, even maxed out. While Apple rarely admits it, some device releases primarily target specific price points. The MacBook Air, for example, aims for a sub-$1000 entry point, though the base configuration is often minimally adequate.

This isn't entirely true for the new MacBook Air. The $999 model is surprisingly usable. More unusually, the maximum price is lower than anticipated. Fully speccing out a 13-inch MacBook Air (including Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro) reaches $2,698.98; the 15-inch model tops out at $2,898.98. Hardware alone maxes out at $2,199 and $2,399 respectively.

Limited Upgrade Options

The limited upgrade options likely prevent encroaching on MacBook Pro territory. GPU upgrades are minimal (8-core to 10-core, though the 8-core is hard to find), and all configurations feature a 10-core CPU. RAM upgrades are capped at 32GB (matching the 14-inch MacBook Pro, unlike the 16-inch's 128GB option). Internal storage maxes out at a relatively reasonable 2TB ($600).

A Departure from Apple's Usual Practices

Apple notoriously overcharges for upgrades. However, the MacBook Air bucks this trend. All configurations offer a choice of 35W or 70W power adapters at no extra cost. This contrasts sharply with the Mac Studio, whose price can skyrocket to $14,598.98 when fully customized (though software accounts for a significant portion).

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